PNP-Army arrest NPA leader in Bukidnon with P5 million bounty

QUEZON, Bukidnon – A leader of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) operating in the hinterlands of Bukidnon and Agusan del Sur, was arrested Wednesday by joint operatives of the Philippine National Police in Northern Mindanao and the Philippine Army.



The CPP officer, who was also a consultant of the National Democratic Front (NDF), was identified as Adelaida “Loida” Magpatoc, 60 years old. She was also known by her different aliases as “Adelaida,” “Debyang,” “Emyang,” “Kudaw,” “Gwen,” and “Robby.”



Magpatoc, according to police sources, has a standing P5.35 million bounty.



Magpatoc was arrested around 2:00 a.m. by the joint elements of the Army’s 88th Infantry Battalion and the PNP 10 Regional Operations Unit, at around 2 a.m. Wednesday, September 15, 2021 in Purok 4, Brgy. Paitan, Quezon, Bukidnon.



Magpatoc is one of the top leaders in the NPA organization in Northern Mindanao, and she was also a former secretary of the CPP’s Far-South Mindanao Regional Committee.



PNP Regional Police Director Brig. Gen. Rolando Anduyan told the media, the CPP leader was arrested after an informant tipped off her location somewhere in the Municipality of Quezon in Bukidnon.



Anduyan said joint forces of the PNP and the Army swooped down early dawn Wednesday in the hideout of the target bringing with them a warrant of arrest issued in Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur against the suspect for robbery with 2 counts of homicide and damage to property.



Magpatoc was brought and detained at the police station in Valencia City, Bukidnon, where authorities also uncovered she has a standing arrest warrant for rebellion issued by the  court in Butuan City.  



Meanwhile, Fourth Infantry Division (4thID) commander Maj. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. also added that the said communist leader was among the members of the NPA rebels, who the 88th Infantry Battalion encountered in Barangay Laligan, Valencia City last September 10.



Brawner said Magpatoc has been on the run after that clash with government forces, which also resulted in the arrest of NPA members and the rescue of two underage combatants, including the seizure of six high-powered firearms.